Gwynn, the eight-time batting champion for the San Diego Padres and head coach at San Diego State, was convinced the tumor and subsequent cancer doctors found in his salivary glands were directly related to his habitual use of spit tobacco during his 20-year career in the majors.

His death made Reed immediately decide to kick the habit, cold turkey.

So just like that, he fetched the two tins of Copenhagen he had in his car, made his way to the clubhouse at Chase Field, and then gathered the six or seven other cans of chew he had in his locker and walked over to a nearby trash can.

"I opened them all up and dropped 'em out so I couldn't go back and get them," Reed said Wednesday before the Diamondbacks closed out their nine-game homestand and officially reached the halfway point of the season.

Gwynn, who was 54, will be remembered during a public memorial service Thursday night in San Diego at the Padres' home stadium, Petco Park. Reed will be among many of the current and former major-leaguers who plan to attend. He and the Diamondbacks will begin a three-game series there on Friday.

"I always thought Tony Gwynn was San Diego. He was the Mr. San Diego legend; nothing can ever happen to him," Reed said. "I wake up and he's no longer with us. That just shows it can happen to anybody, and I just figured it was a good time to stop."

Reed isn't alone. Another former famous San Diego State pitcher who played under Gwynn, Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, announced he's kicked the habit, too.

"I think it's a disgusting habit, looking back on it," Strasburg told MLB.com. "I was pretty naive when I started, just doing it here and there. I didn't think it was going to be such an addiction. … Bottom line is, I want to be around for my family. This is something that can affect people the rest of your life."

Former Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones revealed on his Twitter account that he also is giving up spit tobacco. "5 days with out (sic) dipping. Bout to bite someone's head off!!!" he tweeted on June 23.

Some days are easier than others for Reed, who began dipping long before he got to San Diego State in 2007.

"There have been days where I've woken up, and it's been a piece of cake," he said. "I'd come to the field, come sit in the bullpen and watch the game and be fine.

"Then other days, like (Tuesday) night especially, when I'm frustrated or something doesn't go the way that I want it to go where …"

Reed's voice tailed off. On Tuesday, he blew a save in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians, issuing two walks and a game-tying hit.

"Yeah, I think last night might have been the hardest after blowing that save," Reed continued. "Normally, I would come in here, thrown a dip in and kind of forget about everything. But I didn't come in here and do that, and I think that was the biggest test so far. I figured if I can get through that, I can get through anything."

Reed said he's wanted to quit for the longest time but never had the will power to do it, saying, "I just kept telling myself, 'Next month, next month, I'll quit next month,' and next thing you know it's been seven or eight years and I'm still dipping. I guess it took something like the passing of Gwynn to make me realize it could happen to anybody."

"It's only been about a week and a half now," he said, "but when I was dipping and someone would come up to me and tell me I needed to stop, I'd get irritated with them. I'd think to myself, 'Why are they telling me what to do? I'm an adult. I can handle it myself.'

"It's honestly a personal choice. It's been part of baseball since Day 1 pretty much. You just associate baseball with chewing tobacco. If other people decide to follow through (and quit), that would be good. Hopefully, something like this (Gwynn's death) will get people to realize that nobody's invincible. Cancer doesn't care who you are or what you do. It will come and attack you."

azcentral sports' Nathan Brown contributed to this article.

D-Backs vs. Indians series photos:

Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) is greeted in the dugout after his solo home-run in the 5th inning of their MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks Aaron Hill greets Ender Inciarte (5) after he scored on a single by Miguel Montero in the 9th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Ender Inciarte (5) reacts after a strike in the 9th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ender Inciarte (5) scores on a single by Miguel Montero in the 9th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ender Inciarte (5) is picked off stealing third by Cleveland Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall (8) during the 3rd inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) reacts after giving up a solo home-run in the 2nd inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) throws in the 2nd inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) is forced out at second by Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) on a double play to end the 1st inning of their MLB game Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) reacts to a foul ball in the 1st inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) can't get the tag on Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) as he slides safe for a RBI double in the 7th inning of their MLB game Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowsk/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings (16) jumps for a ball hit by Cleveland Indians' Lonnie Chisenhall (8) in the 7th inning of their MLB game Wednesday, June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Yan Gomes of the Cleveland Indians rounds the bases after hitting a second-inning home run off Chase Anderson of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. Norm Hall/Getty Images

Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks waits for a throw as Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians dives back to first base during the first inning at Chase Field on June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. Norm Hall/Getty Images

Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks walks back to the dugout after breaking his bat during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Chase Field on June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. Norm Hall/Getty Images

Yan Gomes of the Cleveland Indians is congratulated by teammate David Murphy after hitting a second-inning home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 25, 2014 in Phoenix. Norm Hall Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 24: Aaron Hill #2, Gerardo Parra and teammates of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate a 14th-inning win against the Cleveland Indians at Chase Field on June 24, 2014 in Phoenix. Norm Hall/Getty Images

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) is doused by teammate David Peralta (6) after Hill's walk-off single in the 14th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) is doused by teammate David Peralta (6) after Hill's walk-off single in the 14th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks ' David Peralta (6) watches his solo home-run in the 11th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) celebrates his solo home-run in the 11th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta (6) celebrates a RBI by Arizona Diamondbacks 'Tuffy Gosewisch (9) in the 11th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Cleveland Indians third baseman Carlos Santana (41) scores on his two-run home run in the 11th inning of their MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Randall Delgado (48) looks on as Cleveland Indians third baseman Carlos Santana (41) rounds the bases after his two-run home run in the 11th inning of their MLB game Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) collides with Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed (43) after scoring on a single by Yan Gomes to tie the score 6-6 in the 9th inning of their MLB game Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) flips the ball to Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) for an out against the Cleveland Indians in the 8th inning of their MLB game Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Gerardo Parra (8)is greeted by manager Kirk Gibson after scoring on a single by Aaron Hill during the 6th inning of their MLB game against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) avoids the tag of Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) after being caught in a rundown during the 6th inning of their MLB game Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports